Anyway, from the briefing reports, we knew the military had found hiding spots for aircraft and heavy equipment that had survived the initial bug attacks. Actually, we knew from Mr. T that the military branches had concealed a lot of equipment even before the invasion. The Bad-Ones had been pulled from hiding and successfully exploited that sensor blind spot. Mr. T had called in the sensor information less than an hour ago. Was it possible the Air Force had moved on the intel that quickly? And coordinated the attack with the news networks? I don’t know. I don’t care.
It feels like we are on the cusp of knocking back this invasion. What a way to lift my mood. High fives all around.
Rock has a huge smile on his face. “See. The military is just getting started. It takes a while to get all the gears of the big machine turning.”
Roll is all smiles too. “Maybe this invasion is on its last legs. Just saying.”
Grandad had to spoil it with the voice of reason. He held up a hand as if to ward off the wave of zeal coming from Roll. “Let’s not count the bugs out yet.” Yeah, even as he said the words, he had the biggest smile of us all.
Oh, I hate that eerie Emergency Broadcast Tone. Now what’s happening? It’s that old creepy tone instead of a Zone Tone. Not that I’d rather hear the local Zone Tone. Here’s the slow beep, beep, beep that plays before an announcement. What now? Oh no, a second wave of bug ships has come down. Time for a little break. I’ll be back later. I hope.
***
The second wave of invaders didn’t bother coming in from outside the ecliptic. They came straight at us from Mars. Missiles were launched to intercept. None found their target. How many more ships can they send? This wave of invaders landed inside large population centers. Officials again emphasized the shelter in place command. But people have been leaving the affected cities in droves, which has led to terrible congestion. The bugs trooped out from their ships and herded hundreds of them into pens. Any resistance is being met with extreme force.
At least they’re not eating people. Some scientists are speculating the bugs want to set up a kind of ant and aphid society. Yeah, that would make us the aphids. There may be a chemical or hormone that humans give off, something that the bugs need. That seems as good a guess as any.
The political commentators have been active. One congressman gave a speech suggesting we lay down our arms and negotiate from a strong position of peace. That’s what he said. Strong position of peace. It started an uproar. Does he really want to be a slave to some evil bug? Has he been in a coma since the invasion started? Bugs are bloodthirsty. They ignore any attempts to communicate. How can it not be crystal clear, the only solution is extreme counter-force? Now, here come the vids of protest groups with all sorts of stupid signs. Bugs are colorful. People eat Bugs, Bugs don’t eat People.
Para is sniggering in the background, wondering who in their right mind would eat an insect. Para, don’t you remember the chocolate covered ant you ate on a dare when you were in Middle School? Oh, you did too eat it, I was right there watching. And you said it tasted great. See! And now I’m a chicken for not eating one too. Your memory flip flops as bad as your stomach did on that Twirly-Tilt ride at the fair last year. Oh, that’s a real mature statement little sis. Okay, never mind. I’m sure a lot of people enjoy eating insects. An acquired taste, no doubt.
Check out this guy in the ladybug outfit. He’s saying the bugs didn’t do anything too terrible until we attacked them. Until we attacked them!
What do you think about that Para? Yeah, what a lie! Talk to the millions of people who have been terrorized by those monsters. What about Los Angeles? You’re lucky a group of bugs wasn’t in your area, Mr. Ladybug, when you formed up for your protest. I doubt you would have liked their method of participation. That’s enough for me, go ahead and turn it off.
With the second wave of ships situated in the middle of large population centers, the work of the military is all the more difficult. Smart bugs! The war shifted from bad to worse just that quickly. Still, there are less than 60 ships. And they aren’t pounding us into submission from space. Another good thing. Our little team is getting stronger. We have the means to do something. But none of our capabilities makes us invincible. Not even teleportation.
Now’s the time to give my team cohesion speech. They’re going to hear me and then we’re going to totally enter this thing. It’s going to get real kinetic out there.
***
+ BEGIN TIMELINE DROP.
NOTE: The capability of quantum teleportation quickly became an essential in resisting the invasion. Communal forwarded this to me and suggested I include it in the Journal to help answer some teleportation questions. Mr. T is in conference with Muncle, and then Communal.
Subject: Quantum teleportation.
“Muncle, how can I reach Communal other than through the Journal?”
“You could give them a call.”
“Communal has a call number?”
“Of course, doesn’t everybody? Sorry.” Muncle pushed a few keys and waved his s-loop near Mr. T’s s-loop.
“Thanks Muncle.”
“Glad to help.”
A 30 second pause. Calling Communal.
“Hello Mr. T, this is Communal.”
“Hello Communal. I have a question for you.”
“I’ll try to help.”
“It’s regarding the twins and teleportation. Teleportation, producing a perfect copy, must involve an incredible amount of processing power. I have some notion of your processing speed. Let’s say you are working in the exaflops <1018
